When you want loud, hard-hitting bass from your 10-inch subwoofer, there isn’t a better choice this. In this Rockford Fosgate p3d4-10 review, we’ll tell you why this is one of the greatest subwoofers we’ve ever heard.
After years of enthusiasm over different car audio setups, I can tell you that this subwoofer is the real deal. From personal experience and hours sifting through reviews and technical specifications, you aren’t going to find better sound for this size or price.
Other 10-inch subwoofers can claim to have the same sound, but you will undoubtedly going to be able to feel the difference.
Let’s get started on your journey to finding the best 10-inch subwoofer. For bone-deep bass and crystal clear sound, it doesn’t get much better than this!
- New voice coil formers
- Aggressive, clean bass
- High RMS
Rockford Fosgate Punch p3d4-10
Rockford’s premier 10-inch subwoofer, the Fosgate p3d4-10 model, is nothing short of a technological marvel. While it may seem like a simple car subwoofer, it’s far from basic. As you probably already know, Rockford has been at the forefront of car audio technologies for years. They have cemented their place at the head of the pack when it comes to quality and price efficiency.
While there have been some issues with their products in the past, Rockford has come back from the ashes in a big way. The Fosgate p3d4-10 is a result of a much-needed fix to their technologies, and the results are nothing less than stellar.
The Rockford Fosgate p3d4-10 comes from a line of subwoofers that Rockford calls the ‘Punch’ series. While all of the subs in the Punch series are powerful, the P3 models have a leg-up on the competition even within their own line. It is also a shallow mount subwoofer which is attractive for those that have less space in their cars.
That’s because these subwoofers have been upgraded with cooling technology. Previous models in this line had a problem with overheating, but the P3 models have been upgraded with superior features and technology that allows them to stay cool. Even when you’re pushing these subwoofers to the highest limits of their capability, they aren’t going to overheat.
The Rockford Fosgate p3d4-10 is one of the best models on the market right now because it is the pinnacle of years of development by Rockford. We’ll discuss the specific technologies that allow this subwoofer to rise above the competition in just a moment.
What We Liked
VAST Surround Technologies. This feature is unique to Rockford and allows for greater sound quality and deeper bass.
New Voice Coil Formers. New anodized aluminum makes sure that your subwoofer never overheats.
This subwoofer can stand up to whatever you want to throw at it! With new stitched tensile leads to spread the stress over a larger area and spider venting on a flexible basket, this subwoofer is going to be able to handle your bass with ease.
Power Handling. With 500 watts RMS handling and 1,000 watts maximum, you’re definitely going to get the power you paid for. The power handling conforms to CEA-2012 industry standards that require speakers to perform well under constant, consistent demand without damaging voice coils.
FlexFit Basket. When you’re mounting your subwoofer, you want as much adjustment as possible for the best sound. The FlexFit Basket gives you slots on the mounting area instead of single screw holes. This means that you can adjust the speaker slightly even after it’s mounted for the perfect sound every time.
Aggressive, Clean Bass. You can really feel the hit from this subwoofer. Your windows will rattle, your ribcage will shake, and your neighbors might even complain. If you want the most aggressive, deep bass on the market for a 10-inch sub, the Rockford Fosgate p3d4-10 should be your choice.
High RMS. RMS watts (or root mean square watts) are a direct measure of how much power your subwoofer can handle continuously. The Rockford Fosgate p3d4-10 is designed to handle a massive power load on the regular and comes in at the high end of the spectrum for subwoofers of a similar size and price. This means deeper sound and more bass.
What We Didn’t Like
The Price. It’s a good price point for a competitive subwoofer, but the Rockford Fosgate p3d4-10 is not a competitive model. If you plan on using a few subwoofers in your setup, using this model will cost you.
Placement is Everything. Like most subwoofers, you’re going to want to find the perfect place to get the most out of this subwoofer. It won’t work the same in every location in your setup, so make sure that you troubleshoot if you aren’t getting the sound you want.
VAST Surround Technology
As I have mentioned a few times already, the Rockford Fosgate p3d4-10 Subwoofer includes the unique VAST Surround Technology.
This was pioneered by Rockford, and you aren’t going to find it in any other subwoofers on the market. What is it, though?
VAST stands for Vertical Attach Surround Technique. While that may sound complicated, it’s actually a simple enough process that helps to give you high-quality sound and output while minimizing installation problems.
It changes the way that the surround attaches to the basket, allowing great surface area for the cone inside the speaker. As you know, the greater the surface area a cone can manage, the better a subwoofer performs.
By increasing the surface area of the cone inside the sub by up to 25%, the VAST Technology gives you the benefit of greater sound clarity, deeper bass, and better overall performance. This technology is only available in the Rockford Fosgate series. This is what puts the Rockford Fosgate p3d4-10 at the front of the pack.
Anodized Aluminum Voice Coil Formers
We mentioned earlier that Rockford used to have a problem with overheating in their subwoofers. When pushed close to maximum capacity, their woofers and speakers could become hot enough to damage wiring.
But no longer. The Rockford Fosgate p3d4-10 comes with anodized aluminum voice coil formers. This means that the housing surrounding the voice coil is better at venting excess heat off of the wiring and other delicate components. This voice coil former adjustments also come with a change in dust caps and spider venting as well, leading you to a subwoofer that isn’t going to overheat even when running at maximum wattage.
Stitched Tinsel Leads
When you’re installing a subwoofer in your car’s audio system, you want to make sure that it can handle the pressure. After all, any part of your car audio can potentially damage your car’s wiring, so it’s best to choose one that can stand up to the stress.
The stitched tinsel leads on the Rockford Fosgate p3d4-10 are strong and durable. They distribute stress evenly along the wires so you don’t have to worry about any single wire breaking down or blowing out. This is just one feature implemented in this model that gives it the strength to stand up to the higher power load.
Pairing Your Subwoofer with an Amp
Your amp has just as much to do with your subwoofer’s quality as any other component in your setup.
To choose an amp that works perfectly with the Rockford Fosgate p3d4-10, the main thing you should be looking for is power handling. Since this subwoofer can handle a continuous 500 RMS watts, you should choose an amp that can put out more than that. If you want to use your subwoofer at max, choose an amp that can handle the max output.
Also remember that if you are using multiple subwoofers, you need to pair them with an amp that puts out more power than they need combined. When using two Rockford Fosgate p3d4-10s, you’re going to need an amp that can shell out at least 1,000 watts. You have to match the power handling on your amp to the power handling on your sub, or you aren’t going to be getting the best audio.
Specifications
| Power Handling | 500 watts RMS 1000 watts Max |
| Speaker Connector | Dual 10 AWG Compression |
| Size | 10” |
| Nominal Impedance | Dual 4-Ohm |
| Mounting Depth | 6.18” (156.8mm) |
| Displacement | 0.070 cu. Ft. |
| Voice Coil Type | Dual Voice Coil |
| Sound Pressure Level | 82 dB |
| Shipping Weight | 9.48lbs |
| Warranty | 1 Year Parts & Labor |
What the Customers Are Saying
For the most part, customers have only positive things to say about the Rockford Fosgate p3d4-10. Many customers are praising the sound quality and durability of the subwoofer and speakers. Many have been using them for over a year and they are still working perfectly, with hard hits on the base.
Some customers are having issues with the product coming in with faulty parts, but this is a small percentage of the customer base and is probably a quality control issue. Reviews with defective parts or components are also older than the more positive comments.
Others have had issues finding the proper placement for this subwoofer, but it works fine once they find the right spot.
Here is a short, sweet Youtube review of the Rockford Fosgate p3d4-10:
Final Verdict
If you want bone-deep, hard-hitting bass, this is the subwoofer for you. If you want to make other people at stoplights slightly annoyed at the way their cars are shaking, then this is definitely the subwoofer you should choose. If you have extra funds to spend on the perfect, high-quality sub, then this is it.
I could, without hesitation, recommend the Rockford Fosgate p3d4-10 for the serious car audio enthusiast who isn’t afraid of a powerful experience. The VAST Technology, heat resistant components, and high RMS watts give this subwoofer the edge that you’re looking for.
- New voice coil formers
- Aggressive, clean bass
- High RMS
Other Choices
However, this subwoofer isn’t going to be the best choice for everyone. The power and the price are a bit overwhelming if you are just getting into car audio or don’t want something quite so hefty.
If you’re looking for something of the same quality with less power, I would recommend the Rockford Fosgate P300-10 Punch Amplified Subwoofer.
For great bass on a budget, the Pyle PLBW104 10-Inch is a great choice.